As the saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. That couldn’t be more true in the Carmel Arts & Design District right now, thanks to Anne O’Brien, a passionate advocate for creativity and community. O’Brien is the visionary behind Create What You Crave, a new nonprofit focused on fostering collaboration and dialogue among artists and creatives. In a city where art is celebrated on gallery walls and public sculptures, she saw a gap. While Carmel provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy the arts, there wasn’t a dedicated space for artists themselves to gather, exchange ideas and fuel their creative energy.
O’Brien is determined to change that.
Her mission became even more urgent when the city announced it would no longer produce Meet Me on Main, the popular monthly Second Saturday event in the District. Rather than lament its loss, she saw an opportunity. In response, Create What You Crave was launched as a new monthly event designed to keep the spirit of community and artistic engagement alive. One of the most recent gatherings featured local artist ROSEY, who not only created a live painting, but also participated in a moderated discussion on creativity and mental health. It was a night of connection, expression and inspiration—exactly the kind of space O’Brien set out to create.
Of course, her ambitions don’t stop there. She has her eyes on the bigger picture—literally. Carmel’s Arts & Design District carries a special distinction as a state-designated Cultural District, a designation awarded by the Indiana Arts Commission in 2010. She wants to ensure the District retains that important recognition while expanding its reach to a wider, more diverse audience.
And the business community is responding. Local shops like Silver in the City have jumped in to support her initiative with a social media Giveaway Challenge—encouraging visitors on Second Saturdays to post photos of art in the District for a chance to win gift cards. It’s a fun, easy way to celebrate creativity while giving people an extra reason to engage with local businesses.
When I asked O’Brien why she felt so strongly about this work, she laughed and said simply, “I can’t not.” For her, creativity isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity, a fundamental part of what connects us to ourselves and to each other.
“Creativity is everywhere, not just in painting and sculpture, but in whatever your calling is,” she said. “That is your art and the world needs it.”
Create What You Crave isn’t just the name of her organization. It’s her guiding philosophy. There’s no gatekeeping, no waiting to be invited in. The message is simple: Create. Share. Connect. Be part of something bigger.
And if you’re looking for a place to do just that, mark your calendar—on June 14, Kuaba Gallery (404 West Main Street in Carmel) will host the next Create What You Crave gathering from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Artists from all disciplines are invited for an evening of creative exchange and camaraderie. Learn more at createwhatyoucrave.org, and come be part of the movement.
